An investigation of why so many people deliberately hurt themselves and what can be done to help them. The illness "outed" on a global scale when Princess Diana admitted hurting herself deliberately, and continues to be practised mainly by middle-class women who start in their teens and self-harm throughout their lives. Most cutters are women who have been emotionally, sexually or physically abused as children, but Marilee Strong's research shows that self-mutilation also appears in other groups. There are powerful first-person stories, in which cutters describe their ritualistic methods and somewhat addictive cravings for seeing their own blood. Though research is in its infancy, therapists say there are now promising treatments - from medication to intensive psychotherapy - for the millions of "cutters". Strong reveals what the afflicted and those close to them can do to start a process of healing.
- ISBN10 1860497543
- ISBN13 9781860497544
- Publish Date 17 February 2000 (first published 1 October 1999)
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 26 August 2005
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
- Imprint Virago Press Ltd
- Format Paperback (UK Trade)
- Pages 256
- Language English